Ramadan is one of the five requirements (or pillars) of Islam. During each of its 30 days, Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn until sunset. During this time they are supposed to abstain from all food, drink, smoking, sexual relations, and other pleasures.
Women typically spend the afternoons preparing big meals. At sunset, families often gather together to break the fast. Traditionally, they do this with a drink of water, followed by dried date fruits, and then a multi-course meal. After watching the new Ramadan TV series, men (and some women) go out to cafés where they drink coffee and smoke with friends until late into the night.
Though some have stopped fasting in recent years, and are turned off by perceived hypocrisy, increased crime rates, and rudeness that is pervasive through this challenging month, others become more serious about religion. Many attend the evening prayer services at mosques and do the other ritual prayers. Some even read the entire Quran (about a tenth the length of the Bible). It is considered the most holy time of year for Muslims. This sincere seeking makes it a strategic time for us to pray for them.
In addition to this unique time period, we also want to focus our prayers for the North/Northwest of Tunisia, a predominantly rural region with few large cities and very little Gospel witness. Let's join together with expectancy!
